Providing clinical and pro bono opportunities to Harvard Law School students

An elderly couple, who suffered attacks and repeated threats at the hands of radical Muslims, escaped to the United States and sought asylum. With the help of students Ryan Kurtz, J.D. ’14, Christopher Liedl, J.D. ’14, Joelle Milov, J.D. ’12, Lisa Sullivan, J.D. ’13, and the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic arguing their case before the USCIS Asylum Office, the couple was granted asylum in April 2014.

The couple and their children are devout Christians. In their home country, they are well known for their faith and lifetime activism in the church. Striving to help others, the mother went to school for social work and spent her career helping those in need—at risk youths, the elderly, people with disabilities, widows and orphans. Together with her husband, also a devout Christian, they raised their children in the same faith. As a result, the family came under repeated attacks. They were spat at and called “infidels” for wearing the cross; the mother suffered an acid attack, and she and her husband were targeted, beaten, and forced at knifepoint to convert to Islam. In one instance, the couple’s son was kidnapped by radical Muslims, beaten, and left to die in the desert. Fearing for their lives the elderly couple fled to the United States.

Lisa Sullivan, J.D. ’13

Former clinic student and current law clerk in the Southern District of New York, Lisa Sullivan, spent almost the entirety of her time at the clinic working on the case. “Every time we met we would learn more about our clients’ experience growing up and raising their family,” she said. “Because many of the experiences had been traumatic, it was difficult for them to speak openly. But, over time — as we talked about happy aspects of their lives as well as sad ones — they grew to trust us and speak more openly about the terrible events that had driven them from their home,” she said.

The case was argued on the grounds of the couple’s religion and their strong belief in human rights and equal treatment of all people, as well as the authorities’ failure to protect them from harm. Kristen Stilt, who was a visiting professor at Harvard Law School, and will be joining the faculty in the fall, served as a country condition expert in the case. The grant of asylum means the couple will be able to apply for their green cards and eventually for citizenship in the United States.

Credit: Lorin Granger
L-R: Dana Montalto, attorney and Liman Fellow in Harvard Law School’s Veterans Legal Clinic; Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus ’75; and Dan Nagin, Harvard Law School Clinical Professor, Vice Dean for Experiential and Clinical Education, and Faculty Director, Veterans Legal Clinic. The event was co-sponsored by Harvard Law School Veterans Legal Clinic, which provides legal advocacy for veterans, and the HLS Armed Forces Association. The Disabled American Veterans Distinguished Lecture at Harvard Law School is supported by a grant from the Disabled American Veterans’ Charitable Service Trust.
Taken from the Harvard Law Today Article entitled “Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus delivers Disabled American Veterans Distinguished Lecture at Harvard Law School”

Credit: Heratch Photography
“While flying air missions in Afghanistan, Anne Stark said her greatest concern was protecting soldiers on the ground. As a student at Harvard Law School, she sees yet another way to protect those who have served their country.”
Taken from the Harvard Law Today Article entitled “Using law to protect veterans”

On October 14, three PLAPpers joined individuals and organizations from across the Commonwealth at the State House to testify before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, in support of bills aimed at improving criminal justice.

On September 16, 2015, the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs together with Student Practice Organization Leaders hosted a panel discussion to introduce students to opportunities to practice law on a pro bono basis at HLS. Over 250 students attended the event.

Group photo of Army JAG personnel and representatives from the Navy and Air Force JAG communities, with Dr. Thomas Barfield of Boston University and Emile Simpson of KSG

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The Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs at Harvard Law School is here to help students create the most positive clinical and pro bono experience possible. Stay tuned for updates, tips, and reminders. Please don't hesitate to contact us or drop by!

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